No jail for nurse in fatal NSW breast op

Camera IconYueqiong Fu has been placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

An unregistered nurse who had never prepared anaesthetic before taking part in a fatal breast enlargement operation in a Sydney clinic has avoided a jail term.

Jean Huang, 35, died days after having a seizure during a breast enlargement procedure in her Medi Beauty clinic in Chippendale in late August 2017.

The nurse during that procedure, Chinese woman Yueqiong Fu, was convicted in Downing Centre District Court on Friday of administering two doses of tramadol intravenously and lying to police on the day of the operation.

Fu also prepared five syringes of lignocaine and saline which was administered by the doctor overseeing the operation.

Judge Sharon Harris noted 31-year-old Fu had already spent 51 days in custody before she placed the nursing graduate on a two-year good behaviour bond.

Fu must do 150 hours of community service and see a psychologist.

The nurse told a sentence hearing in early May she used "Chinese thinking" during the procedure in that she obeyed the doctor's orders. She now understood she needed to apply critical thinking.

"Before I do anything, I should know what things I can do and what things I can't do," Fu said.

After Ms Huang was rushed to hospital, Fu told police she'd been sitting at the clinic's reception during the operation.

"The statement was entirely self-serving ... (and not made) in an attempt to protect loved ones or indeed anyone else but herself," Judge Harris said.

However, the judge said Fu was "genuinely remorseful" over her role in her boss's death, had pleaded guilty early and would help those trying to prosecute the doctor involved.

Fu's lawyer had argued against a conviction being recorded, but Judge Harris said it was necessary to deter other cosmetic nurses in Sydney.

Judge Harris said while Fu's role in the procedure and death was restricted, she had a duty of care to Ms Huang.

Though unregistered in Australia, Fu had a degree from the University of Sydney and more than three years of clinical experience in China and should have been aware of the risks, the judge said.

"The clear and obvious risk ... is the death of a patient," Judge Harris said

The court previously heard Fu is on a criminal justice visa which will expire after the doctor's manslaughter trial.